A jawbone from a prehistoric mastodon was unearthed in a backyard in Scotchtown, Orange County, New York. The discovery, made by a homeowner, has shed new light on the region’s Ice Age inhabitants and is one of several mastodon fossils found in the area.
According to Dr. Robert Feranec, a researcher at the New York State Museum, the jawbone was discovered in topsoil, about 12-18 inches deep into the ground. The homeowner initially thought it was just two teeth sticking out, but further excavation revealed more bone fragments, including a piece of a toe bone and a rib fragment.
The mastodon fossils found in Orange County are significant, with over 150 discovered statewide, about one-third of which were found in this county. The largest mastodon ever found in the area was approximately 8-9 feet tall and weighed three tons.
Researchers believe that the discovery will enhance their understanding of the region’s Ice Age inhabitants. Dr. Cory Harris, a professor at SUNY Orange, said that the priority is to study and preserve the fossils before winter sets in.
The discovery marks the first time a mastodon tooth has been found in this location, with 60 mastodons discovered in Orange County so far, making it one of the places where these fossils are most commonly found.
Source: https://abc7ny.com/post/prehistoric-jaw-other-bone-fragments-unearthed-new-york-backyard/15669584